Sweet orange tree named &#39;OLL-4&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct sweet orange clone, ‘OLL-4’ was produced via embryonic callus (tissue culture) from an original tree selection (‘OLL’) from an abandoned USDA field trial. ‘OLL-4’ produces easy-to-peel, round oranges with excellent internal and external color. Trees of ‘OLL-4’ exhibit improved cold and drought tolerance over industry standard oranges, and do not seem to exhibit alternate bearing.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Citrus sinensis

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘OLL-4’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of sweet orange tree named ‘OLL-4’. ‘OLL-4’ is a somaclone regenerated from embryogenic callus (tissue culture) of ‘OLL’ (‘Orie Lee Late’) sweet orange, with high-quality fruit that usually matures in the standard ‘Valencia’ time period. ‘OLL’ (unpatented) is believed to be an irradiation-induced mutant line originating from ‘Pineapple’ sweet orange in an abandoned USDA trial attempting to generate a seedless ‘Pineapple’ orange. ‘OLL’ attracted attention because it never dropped fruit, a serious problem with ‘Pineapple’, and held quality late into the summer. Propagations of ‘OLL’ were not uniform and included some trees of poor growth and productivity, as well as robust high-yielding trees. In efforts to generate genetically stable clones from the ‘OLL’ selection, tissue cultures (embryogenic callus) were established for the creation of somaclones. At present, ‘OLL-4’ has been the highest yielding somaclone, and is the only remaining somaclone showing no Huanglongbing (HLB) disease symptoms. Trees of ‘OLL-4’ sweet orange topworked onto HLB-infected root/scaffold trees (‘Swingle’ and ‘Carrizo’) are also growing off quite well, but it is too early to determine the actual level of HLB tolerance. Topworked trees demonstrated true-to-typeness, as well as new trees grafted to experimental rootstocks also planted at St. Cloud, Fla.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘OLL-4’ produces round oranges with internal and external color similar (or better) to that of ‘Rhode Red Valencia’ (Table 1). Fruit of ‘OLL-4’ holds on the tree exceptionally well, and maintains quality into the summer. Fruit of ‘OLL-4’, like all of the ‘OLL’ oranges, peel easier than ‘Valencia’, which, combined with the attractive external color, provides excellent crossover potential as fresh fruit, thereby expanding the available fresh orange portfolio for Florida. ‘OLL’ seedling trees (including ‘OLL-4’) have shown good drought tolerance in the greenhouse, as overgrown trees in small pots rarely wilt compared to other sweet orange seedlings. This apparent improved stress tolerance may be useful against HLB disease. Limited yield data is available, but the original tree of ‘OLL-4’ has been the highest yielding tree among the ‘OLL’ somaclones over the past 3 years, producing more than five 90-lb. boxes of fruit per year, with a maximum of 6.13 boxes in 2014 (Table 1). Trees on ‘Swingle’ citrumelo appear to yield better than standard ‘Valencia’. Production of lbs solids on ‘OLL-4’ is not the highest among the ‘OLL’ somaclones (Table 2), but has been as good as or better than traditional ‘Valencia’. ‘OLL’ oranges, including ‘OLL-4’, have not exhibited the undesirable low ratios associated with ‘Valencia’ during the past two seasons (Tables 2 and 3). Alternate bearing has not been an issue on ‘OLL-4’. Sensory (taste panel) analyses have indicated that ‘OLL-4’ has a favorable ‘Valencia’-like flavor profile (Table 3). Top-worked and grafted trees of ‘OLL-4’ on various rootstocks are growing off quite well.

TABLE 1 Yield data from original ‘OLL’ somaclone trees on ‘Swingle’ citrumelo planted in 2001 (90 lb. boxes) 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL AVG. BOXES BOXES BOXES BOXES BOXES OLL-1 4.00 4.75 3.88 12.63 4.21 OLL-2 3.00 3.75 2.34 9.09 3.03 OLL-3 2.75 4.75 4.13 11.63 3.88 OLL-4 5.75 5.25 6.13 17.13 5.71 OLL-5 4.75 3.75 3.38 11.88 3.96 OLL-6 2.75 2.75 5.88 11.38 3.79 OLL-7 2.75 4.25 3.88 10.88 3.63 OLL-8 1.75 0.00 0.00 1.75 0.58 OLL-9 4.25 4.00 3.13 11.38 3.79 OLL-10 5.00 5.75 5.38 16.13 5.38 OLL-11 1.00 1.50 1.38 3.88 1.29 OLL-15 2.00 2.75 2.88 7.63 2.54 OLL-16 3.00 3.75 2.63 9.38 3.13 OLL-19 4.00 5.00 3.88 12.88 4.29 OLL-20 2.00 5.25 4.13 11.38 3.79 OLL-21 3.75 4.75 4.13 12.63 4.21 OLL-22 5.25 4.50 3.38 13.13 4.38 OLL-23 3.75 6.75 3.88 14.38 4.79 OLL-25 3.25 3.75 2.38 9.38 3.13 OLL-27 4.25 4.50 5.38 14.13 4.71

TABLE 2 Juice Quality Data from ‘OLL’-Series Somaclones (data from Mar. 02, 2012). Lbs. Juice Total Lbs. Solids Variety Per Box Acid Brix Ratio Per Box Color ‘Valencia’ 54.41 1.00 12.03 12.03 6.55 38.60 ‘OLL 20’ 53.23 0.84 12.10 14.40 6.44 40.50 ‘OLL 27’ 54.99 0.84 12.34 14.69 6.79 39.80 ‘OLL 25’ 57.58 0.79 12.81 16.22 7.38 40.20 ‘OLL 9’ 56.30 0.94 12.97 13.80 7.30 39.90 ‘OLL 15’ 49.48 0.99 14.56 14.71 7.20 39.50 ‘OLL 2’ 51.55 0.77 12.77 16.58 6.58 41.00 ‘OLL 3’ 54.52 0.98 12.92 13.18 7.04 40.30 ‘OLL 4’ 55.52 0.92 12.60 13.70 7.00 40.70 ‘OLL 7’ 57.51 0.94 13.20 14.04 7.59 41.20 ‘Swingle’ Control 48.46 0.79 12.91 16.34 6.26 39.10 ‘OLL 21’ 58.20 0.77 12.38 16.08 7.20 40.30 ‘OLL 10’ 55.55 0.82 12.42 15.15 6.90 40.60 ‘OLL 5’ 53.92 0.93 13.13 14.12 7.08 40.10 ‘OLL 23’ 57.21 0.81 12.12 14.96 6.93 39.90 ‘OLL 19’ 54.02 0.84 12.32 14.67 6.65 40.90 ‘OLL 1’ 55.10 0.90 12.90 14.33 7.11 41.50 ‘OLL 3-9’ 58.19 0.96 12.85 13.39 7.48 40.80 ‘OLL 3-10’ dwarf 53.80 0.80 12.51 15.64 6.73 41.20 ‘OLL 8’ 56.43 0.77 11.99 15.57 6.77 40.70

TABLE 3 Sensory analysis of Not From Concentrate (NFC) juice from OLL oranges and ‘Valencia’ control. Avg. Overall ANALYSIS SAMPLE BRIX ACID OIL SINKING VIT. C Limonin Flavor DATE ID COR. % RATIO pH COLOR % PULP (mg/100 ml) ppm Score Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 10 12.97 0.88 14.74 3.78 39.53 0.016 14.0 53.79 2.5 3.33 Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 11 12.37 0.85 14.55 3.77 40.50 0.012 12.0 45.27 2.1 3.25 Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 27 12.53 0.87 14.41 3.77 40.62 0.012 12.0 42.65 1.1 3.25 Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 8 13.26 0.97 13.67 3.75 39.30 0.014 12.0 52.55 2.6 3.33 Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 2 12.09 0.81 14.93 3.85 40.50 0.012 12.0 44.24 1.9 3.33 Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 20 12.42 0.89 13.96 3.77 40.09 0.015 14.0 48.68 1.3 3.25 Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 7 12.71 0.85 14.95 3.83 40.81 0.013 12.0 38.54 1.3 3.25 Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 6 12.10 0.87 13.91 3.80 40.58 0.012 12.0 40.55 1.4 3.25 Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 1 12.47 0.95 13.13 3.73 40.48 0.011 12.0 45.95 2.2 3.42 Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 16 12.34 0.87 14.18 3.75 40.25 0.015 12.0 44.47 1.6 3.50 Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 5 11.16 0.77 14.49 3.90 41.09 0.011 10.0 35.07 2.2 3.42 Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 21 11.69 0.87 13.44 3.82 40.63 0.013 12.0 38.34 2.5 3.42 Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 25 13.36 0.87 15.36 3.72 40.16 0.018 12.0 42.21 1.5 3.42 Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 19 12.80 0.81 15.80 3.84 40.59 0.017 12.0 42.34 2.0 3.50 Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 4 12.54 0.85 14.75 3.84 40.74 0.015 12.0 40.04 1.0 3.25 Mar. 21, 2014 N10-25 12.96 0.93 13.94 3.76 38.67 0.020 14.0 41.89 1.0 3.33 Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 9 12.59 0.85 14.81 3.80 40.81 0.013 12.0 38.35 1.4 3.25 Mar. 21, 2014 Valencia 12.07 0.95 12.71 3.69 38.45 0.012 10.0 40.35 0.8 3.42 Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 23 11.55 0.76 15.20 3.88 40.69 0.012 10.0 34.54 0.9 3.25 Mar. 21, 2014 OLL # 3 12.37 0.91 13.59 3.72 40.12 0.015 12.0 40.30 3.0 3.58

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

‘OLL-4’ is illustrated by the accompanying photographs, which show the tree's form, foliage and fruit. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of a tree approximately 13 years old.

FIG. 1—Shows the internal and external appearance of the fruit.

FIG. 2—Shows the overall mature plant growth habit in the spring time.

FIG. 3—Shows a close-up of leaves and a mature fruit.

FIG. 4—Shows a close-up of the mature fruit.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Phenotypic Description of Citrus sinensis ‘OLL-4’

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘OLL-4’. The present botanical description is that of the variety grown on a 13-year-old tree growing on ‘Swingle’ citrumelo rootstock (C. paradisi×Poncirus trifoliata) at St. Cloud experimental block, and a top-worked tree at the same location. The colors (except those in common terms) are described from the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society in London (second edition), in association with the Flower Council of Holland.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Citrus sinensis (putative).         -   Common name.—Sweet orange. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—‘OLL’ (‘Orie Lee Late’) sweet orange tree             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—N/A. -   Tree:     -   -   Ploidy.—Diploid.         -   Size.—Medium large.         -   Tree height.—5.8 m.         -   Tree spread.—5.0 to 5.5 m.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous.         -   Density.—Canopies are quite dense.         -   Form.—The tree is obloid shaped with both lateral and             upright branches growing; branches with fruit exhibit             drooping.         -   Growth habit.—Both upright and lateral growth with low             medium angle. -   Trunk:     -   -   Trunk diameter.—17.8 cm in diameter at 30 cm above the             ground, 16-year-old tree.         -   Trunk texture.—Smooth.         -   Trunk bark color.—RHS 199C (greyed-brown); irregularly             striated with RHS 189A (greyed-green). -   Branches:     -   -   Crotch angle.—First crotch forms a 60 to 65-degree angle,             middle crotch forms a 35-degree angle.         -   Branch length.—Branch reaches 5.6 meters from the first             crotch to the tip of the branch.         -   Branch texture.—Relatively smooth, occasionally with small             thorns or spines.         -   Branch color (shoots from previous flush, hardened, and 4 to             5 mm in diameter).—RHS 137A (green). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size (lamina average).—Length: 120 mm Width: 57.8 mm.         -   L/W ratio.—2.1.         -   Thickness.—Regular and average compared to commercial sweet             orange hybrids.         -   Type.—Simple.         -   Shape.—Elliptical.         -   Apex.—Retuse.         -   Base.—Acute to sub-obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire and smooth undulate.         -   Surface.—Upper surface: Glabrous Lower surface: Medium veins             that are pinnately netted.         -   Color.—Upper surface (adaxial): RHS 137A (green) Lower             surface (abaxial): RHS 143C (green).         -   Petiole.—Shape: Brevipetiolate (shorter than leaf lamina);             junction between petiole and lamina is articulate Width             (petiole wing): Narrow Shape (petiole wing): Obovate Length:             25.5 to 26 mm Width: 7.2 to 7.3 mm Color: RHS 137A (green). -   Flowers and flower buds:     -   -   Type.—Hermaphrodite.         -   Bearing.—Flowers grow from leaf axillaries and leaf             terminals in small clusters or as individuals. Each flower             branch consists of 4-12 flowers.         -   Flower diameter.—Fully open flower with an average diameter             of 34.4 to 35 mm.         -   Flower depth.—Typical flower has an average depth of 20 mm.         -   Blooming period.—First bloom: Observed Mar. 20, 2014 Full             bloom: Observed Mar. 28, 2014.         -   Flower bud size.—Length: Initial visible flower bud is 3.5             mm in length; mature flower bud is 16.6 mm in length             Diameter: Initial visible flower bud is 2.5 mm in diameter;             mature flower bud is 7.1 mm in diameter.         -   Flower bud shape.—Initial visible flower bud has a slightly             elongated ball shape; mature flower has an elongated olive             shape.         -   Color.—RHS 145D (yellow-green) for initial visible flower             bud; RHS NN155D (white) for mature flower bud with RHS 149D             (yellow-green) spots distributed at the tip of the flower             bud.         -   Flower petals.—Number: 5 Length: 20 mm Width: 7.3 Shape:             Flat, spatula shaped Apex shape: Smooth, acute shaped Base             shape: Even obtuse.         -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS NN155D (white) Lower surface: RHS             NN155C (white) with RHS 149D (yellow-green) spots             distributed toward to the petal apex Margin: Smooth.         -   Sepal.—Number (per flower): 5 per flower Shape: Delta shaped             with an acute angle at apex Length: 3.8 mm Width: 3.5 mm             Apex shape: Triangle shaped Margin: Smooth.         -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 145D (yellow-green) Lower surface:             RHS 145C (yellow-green).         -   Pedicel.—Number: 1 Length: 6.7 to 6.8 mm Diameter: 1.4 to             1.5 mm Color: RHS 145B (yellow-green).         -   Reproductive organs.—Fertility: Appears self-fertile Stamen             length: 12.5 to 12.7 mm Anther Length: 3.4 mm Width: 1.1 to             1.2 mm Color: RHS 12C (yellow) Filament length: 10.2 to 10.3             mm Pollen amount: Abundant Pollen color (general): RHS 14A             (yellow).         -   Pistil.—Number: 1 Length: 12.0 to 12.8 mm Color: RHS 145C             (yellow-green).         -   Style length.—9.5 mm.         -   Style diameter.—1.3 to 1.4 mm.         -   Style color.—RHS 145C (yellow-green).         -   Ovary shape.—Oval shaped.         -   Ovary diameter.—2.3 mm.         -   Ovary color.—RHS 145B (yellow-green).         -   Fragrance.—Fragrant. -   Fruit:     -   -   Average weight (per individual fruit).—222.3 g.         -   Size.—Uniform.         -   Width.—74 to 77 mm on average.         -   Length.—82.5 to 83.3 mm on average.         -   Shape.—Earth shaped.         -   Shape (cross-section).—Round.         -   Apex.—Truncated.         -   Apex cavity diameter.—N/A.         -   Base.—No neck, with wrinkle at the shoulder area.         -   Base cavity diameter.—6.3 to 6.4 mm.         -   Harvesting.—First harvest can usually occur at the beginning             of March (based on season and rootstock); last harvest can             go into June, as fruit continue to hold on the tree for a             long time with good quality.         -   Fruit stem (short stem connecting the fruit).—Length: 10.8             mm Diameter: 3.8 mm Color: RHS 196A (greyed-green with RHS             137A (green) strip. -   Skin:     -   -   Adherence.—Adherence between albedo (mesocarp) and flesh             (endocarp) is strong The adherence is evenly distributed             from based to apex.         -   Thickness.—4.4 to 4.5 mm on average.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Flavedo (epicarp): Ranges between RHS 21A             (yellow-orange) to RHS 21C (yellow-orange) Albedo             (mesocarp): RHS 11D (yellow) Stylar end: Closed.         -   Rind oil cell density.—208 oil cells/square cm. -   Flesh:     -   -   Number of segments.—Average between 10 and 11 segments per             fruit.         -   Segment walls.—Medium soft with sufficient strength to             maintain integrity as separated.         -   Juice.—Abundant.         -   Color.—Uniformly RHS 24A (orange).         -   Texture.—Medium soft.         -   Vesicles.—Length: arranged from 16.3 to 16.9 mm on average.         -   Diameter (thickness).—2.7 to 3.2 mm on average.         -   Eating quality (tested at the beginning of March, varies             from season to season).—Soluble solids (average): 12.6 Brix             Acidity (average): 0.92% Sugar/Acid Ratio: 13.7. -   Seeds:     -   -   Type.—Mostly polyembryonic and occasionally monoembryonic.         -   Number.—Ranges from 2 to 5; occasionally some fruit contains             less than 2 seeds.         -   Shape.—Seed shapes are not uniform; normal seeds are mostly             ventricose/swollen shaped and clavate club shaped.         -   Size.—Length: 15.4 to 15.5 mm Width: 8.9 to 9.0 mm.         -   Seed coat color.—Outer Surface: RHS NN155A (white) and             smooth Inner surface: RHS 165C (greyed-orange).         -   Cotyledon color.—RHS 157D (green-white). -   Resistance to disease: No obvious tree-debilitating disease problems     have been observed in the trees or fruit of ‘OLL-4’ currently     growing, but systematic resistance testing has not been performed.     ‘OLL-4’ may be moderately susceptible to citrus canker, although     canker has not been observed on ‘OLL-4’. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of sweet orange tree as illustrated and described herein. 